The image of Rory McIlroy with a distraught face in the Clubhouse as he checked how a US Open that he practically had in his pocket was slipping away after missing two one-meter putts each in his last three holes was one of the most shocking that the outcome of the tournament held at the Pinehurst Resort in South Carolina left.
The Northern Irishman, as soon as he saw that DeChambeau was sinking the putt that gave him the victory, headed towards the parking lot and left the field within minutes. After a decade without winning a Major, he saw it closer than ever. But he will have to keep waiting Although yesterday’s tough defeat has taken its toll to the point of deciding to take a break.
He announced it tonight in a letter published on his social networks, in which in addition to congratulating DeChambeau and pointing him out as “what golf needs right now”, he has explained how he feels after this unexpected end of the tournament and what his plans are, which involve a month away from competition to try to come back stronger in Scotland… and at the Open.
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 17, 2024
“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer. First of all, I would like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think we all agree,” begins the Northern Irish golfer.
“As I reflect on my week, I will regret some things that happened throughout the tournament, especially the two missed putts on the 16th and 18th of the last day. But, as I always try to do, I will focus on the positive aspects of the week, which far outweigh the negatives,” adds McIlroy, before announcing that he will take a few weeks off.
“As I said at the beginning of the tournament, I feel closer than ever to winning my next major championship. The only word I would use to describe my career is resilience. I have shown it time and time again over the past 17 years, and I will do it again. I’m going to take a few weeks off to take it all in and recover to defend the Genesis Scottish Open and the Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland“, he concludes.
